Management is a craft - a universal discipline, the most important one of the 21st century. In this book, the leading author in the field of general management gives an overview of the principles and foundations that general management is based on. Looking far ahead into the information age, Malik explains the factors for success which can be verified both scientifically and practically. Fredmund Malik's general management theory is system-oriented and therefore valid all over the world at any given time. It works in all areas and industries of any society, irrespective of changing trends, of national or of cultural differences. With his consistent and well-grounded alignment along the natural phenomena of complex systems - phenomena that both executives and managers have to cope with every day - Malik sets the standard for sound management in the era of knowledge. "One of the best management books. It contains wise and exceptional ideas." WirtschaftsWoche